Improvement in fire-proof coverings for books



Z Sheets-Sheet 1. E. W. GL'O'VER.

I FIRE-PROOF CQVERIITGS FOR BOOKS. Nu 169,536, Patented Nov. 2,1875.

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2 Sheets-Sheet Z.

FIRE-PROOF COVERINGS FOR BOOKS.

GLOVER Patented Nov. 2, 1875.

// l/l/llm NPETERS PHOTO-LI'IHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, n c.

UN Eo STATES PATEEEI EDWARD W. GLOVER, on MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVE ME N T IN FIR E- PR 00F C'O ViERI N GS "FOR 'BO 'OK'S;

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,536, dated November 2, 1875; application filed I October 22, 12:75.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD W. GLovER, of Malden, in the county of M iddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Fire Proof Coverings for Books, of which the followingis a specification The object of this invention is to provide a non-conducting and fire-proof protector for the leaves of a book, that may be readily removed when the book is to be used, and secured to the same when packed away or put up after use, which, together with the ordinary binding of the book, will securely and entirely inclose the leaves, and preserve the same in case of fire.

I My invention is particularly designed for the protection of valuable books, such as the account-books of bankers and merchants and it consists of a rectangular box, open on one side, and provided with a hinged flap or cover, or of such shape as to conform to the shape of the book, and of such size as to fit closely over the leaves, of the book, and between the covers of the binding, so as to entirely inclose the leaves when in place, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the book, with the protectingcover in place. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of the book open, andwith the cover partly drawn oft. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the protecting-co ver removed; and Fig. 4 a transverse section of the closed book and cover.

The letter A represents the binding of the book, constructed of any of the usual materials employed for the purpose, but preferably of fire-proof and non-conducting material, such as the material known in the market as clayboard, which may also be rendered perfectly fire-proof by. the application of tungstate or silicate of soda, borax, alum, borax and alum combined, sulphate of copper or ammonia, common salt, or salt combined with any of the before-mentioned ingredients, or any other fire-" proofing material that will protect the material of the cover and binding by melting and formingaglazed coating around said material, and exclude the air, so as to prevent combustion, even when the material is hot enough to burn if laid bare to the atmosphere. The exterior of the binding may be finished or covered with any of the fabrics used for the purpose-such as canvas, muslin, or the like. The letter B represents the leaves, which are made up with the binding in the well-known manner as practiced by book-binders. The letter D represents the protective coveringof arectangular box, with an open end,E, and ahinged cover or flap, d. Said box is constructed, like the binding of the book,ot the usual materials employed for the bindings of books, but preferably of the clay-alumina board, which may also have asbestus combined with it, rendered incombustible or fire-proof, as above-mentioned, and covered and finished with the same material, and in a manner similar to the binding. The upper and lower ends b b of said cover are rounded, as shown, to fit snugly against the concave back a of the binding A, and securely inclose the leaves of the book when in place. The box is constructed of such size as to fit snugly all round the edges of the leaves and within the binding, when the book is closed, in such manner that the binding, together with said box, will form a protective casing, entirely surrounding and inclosing the leaves when packed together in a safe, vault,

or safe depository, or upon suitable shelves.

' It is evident that the cover might be constructed in the form of a rectangular box,with an open end, the side 01 beingsecurely attached instead of hinged, and the whole slipped over the leaves previously to closing the book but the construction represented in the drawing is preferable. The hinged flap or cover of the protecting-box may also be made triangular, or similar in shape to an envelope-flap, or curved or hollowed out along its free edge, as may be desired 5 and insteadof being hinged to the side edge of the rectangular box it may be hinged to either the top or bottom edges 1) of the same.

The protecting-cover is applied to the book by raising the hinged lid d, and, setting the leaves in the same, pushing it home until the ends of the sides I) set closely in the concave ends of the back a. The covers of the binding are then closed, embracing the protecting- ,cover, and forming, asit were, a tight box, inclosing the leaves.

1 the protecting-coveris drawn off and laid aside.

When the book is in use Although my improvement is principally designed to protect the contents of books from fire, it is evident that it will operate as well in protecting them from smoke, dust, dirt, and atmospheric influences, in which case it will not be necessary to construct the same of fireproof or non-conducting materials.

The'boo'k and protectin g-cover-may be made and sold together; or the protecting-cover maybe made in various sizes and sold separately for the convenience of those having books already in use.

, Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat cm, is-

In combination with the bindingof'a book, a fire-proofprotecting-cover, consisting of an open box adapted to fit closely over the leaves and between the covers of the binding, the

-whole forming a tight inclosing-box around the leaves, substantially as described.

7 In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD W. GLOVER.

Witnesses:

JAMES L. NORRIS, J 0s. L. OooMBs. 

